This adaptation of the Bourbon Renewal cocktail can be made as tangy or sweet as you prefer. Either way, it's a delicious happy hour treat!
Happy Monday, Urban Bliss warriors! How was your weekend?
I spent 30 glorious hours in Seattle, Washington for the Seattle Food and Wine Experience. I lounged luxuriously in the super awesome Maxwell Hotel (review with tons of photos coming soon) and ate one of the best breakfasts I have eaten in recent memory at Toulouse Petit (you know that restaurant review is coming soon too!).
Then I had the absolute joy and honor of learning more about some new-to-me food, wine, beer, cider, and spirits brands at the Seattle Food and Wine Experience events. Folks, I have at least a dozen stories coming your way later this year, from this weekend alone. We are so blessed with an abundance of amazing food & beverage companies and products in the Pacific Northwest, and I cannot wait to share some of my favorites with you!
But until then, we tackle Monday. I realize that today is National Margarita Day, but since it's my birthday week, I thought today I would share one of my favorite cocktails in the whole world for this week's Mixology Monday.
Bourbon Renewal
I first had the Bourbon Renewal at Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon about five or six years ago. Maybe even seven. I'm turning another year older on Thursday, so let's just make it eight years ago, to be safe, because I know I had it first within a year or two of their grand opening in 2007.
It blew my mind, folks. I love bourbon, and this cocktail celebrates good bourbon with a hint of sweetness and a dash of bright citrus.
Bartender Jeffrey Morgenthaler reportedly named this recipe after a band that his former business partner was in. Morgenthaler is a legend in the mixology scene and really, any cocktail you have at Clyde Common is phenomenal. I love going there for happy hour.
My recipe is adapted slightly from his in that I don't always have creme de cassis on hand, so I substitute black currant syrup or raspberry or marionberry liqueur. If you have creme de cassis on hand, by all means, do use it!
I also substitute The Bitter Housewife's Aromatic Bitters for Angostura bitters, as I usually do, but if you have Angostura bitters on hand, use that.
Bourbon Renewal
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz black currant syrup or sub raspberry liqueur or creme de cassis
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters or Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake, then strain over ice into an old-fashioned glass.
- Garnish with a lemon wedge, blackberries, currants.
Notes
More cocktail recipes you might like:
Mixology Monday: Rosemary Citrus Old Fashioned
Mixology Monday: Backyard Collins
Mixology Monday: The Mrs. cocktail
What's your favorite bourbon cocktail? Or, if you don't like bourbon, what the heck is wrong with you? KIDDING! I kid. What's your fave cocktail or mocktail, if you don't like bourbon?
Erin @ Platings and Pairings says
Happy Birthday Week!!! I'm not a huge fan of Bourbon, maybe I just need more practice... ;) This looks like a good place to start!
My favorite cocktail is the Aviation and I order it at every bar that carries the ingredients to make it.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thank you for the birthday wishes, Erin! Ooh the Aviation is a great cocktail as well. Cheers!
Jenni Kupelian says
Clyde Common is one of my favorite restaurants, my husband took me there on one of our first dates. I haven't been back in years, but I'll be sure to try this drink out at home :) Great post as usual :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I love that you went there on one of your first dates with your husband! It really is a great place that withstands the test of time and restaurant trends in this town. Thanks so much, Jenni!!
Kari says
I'm a fan of bourbon. I love the idea of adding black currant, yum!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
The black currant takes delicious bourbon to a whole new level! Thanks, Kari! :)
Catherine says
Ok, citrus in a cocktail is just about my favorite thing, and I do not like overly sweet drinks, and I like bourbon. So basically this is a cocktail recipe made for me. Now to run to the liquor store!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
I love citrus in cocktails too (if ya can't tell from all of my cocktail recipes... ;) Thanks, Catherine!
Sola says
Oh! This is my type of recipe. I'm trying to work on my mixology skills and this looks like a great place to start.. I especially would love to give bourbon cocktails a shot as well.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
It's a pretty easy drink to put together, and easy to make more tangy or more sweet, depending on your preference too! Cheers, Sola!
Ashleigh says
This bourbon cocktail recipe looks wonderful and something I know my hubs would enjoy! Thank you for sharing!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Hope you both get to try it and enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by, Ashleigh!
Summer @ Coffee With Summer says
Uhm.....DELICIOUS! I have had something similar before, so I know I'd love this.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Cheers, Summer! :)
The Southern Thing says
This makes me wish it was happy hour!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
It's always happy hour somewhere, right? ;)
Erin says
I am making this!!! I don't have enough BOURBON cred to lay claim to any specific cocktail but I am ready to experiment. I even bought some local bitters recently... And anything with citrus is my friend. I am ready!! AND... Happy Birthday!! Your weekend in Seattle sounds amazing!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Bitters really make a difference, and I love how you just need a drop or two usually in each drink! Thank you so much for the kind comment, Erin!
Cassandra says
what a fabulous cocktail! I'll have to give it a try - thank you!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks, Cassandra!
Monica Louie says
Happy early birthday!! This looks so refreshing! I hope you're spoiled this week!!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks so much, Monica!
Heather @ The Nerdy Fox says
I love anything bourbon, usually! I don't generally drink mixed drinks but every once in awhile I do. These all look yummy!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks Heather!
Julie @ Texan New Yorker says
I adore bourbon cocktails (not to mention just straight bourbon! :)) and this sounds outstanding! I have to try it!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Cheers to bourbon - in cocktails or straight up! :) Thanks, Julie!
Denay DeGuzman says
Happy Birthday, Marlynn! I love that you've shared your the recipe for one of your favorite cocktails. Although today is National Margarita Day, you sure have me craving a BOURBON RENEWAL! Thank you for this blissful inspiration. Your photos are all so lovely.
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thank you so much, Denay!! I appreciate it!
Dia @ All The Things I Do says
I love a good fancy cocktail. This looks so good. I want to try the black current and the raspberry lol
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
LOL - it's great with both! :) Thank you, Dia!
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
I really, really, really wish I liked bourbon (or any brown liquor for that matter) as it is all the rage again, but luckily my dad and my husband can make up for my lack of interest. They would both go through the roof for this drink!!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
There's definitely a bourbon and whiskey revival in the states, for sure! Thanks so much for stopping by, Dee Dee! :-)
Renée ♥ The Good Hearted Woman says
This looks luscious, Marlynn! Can I just tell you that I've been faithfully following your Seattle trip via social media and feeling so happy for you and your wonderful weekend adventure. Your enthusiasm is contagious!
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Thanks SO much, Renée! I really appreciate it :-)
Nutmeg Nanny says
I love love love bourbon! It's my favorite liquor :)
Marlynn Jayme Schotland says
Mine too :)
Debra Worth says
I am terribly unversed in mixed drinks. I have been wanting to try doing some though. This looks delicious!
Jen says
I’ve been looking for this recipe...you nailed it! Served this to many guests with hearty approval all around. Used Makers Mark, DuBochett creme de cassis and Bitter Housewife with really excellent results. Thanks so much for posting!